In 1956, Socialist Fujiwara Michiko, a licensed nurse and a Christian, stood
before the Upper House of the Diet and declared that debate was coming
to a close on a measure that would, according to Fujiwara, “end the many
centuries—long tragic history of Japanese women.” After eighty-five years of
struggle against prostitution, “their dearest wishes are finally about to see the
light of day.”1 But unlike Fujiwara and her supporters, the state’s intention
was not to eradicate prostitution. Instead the Prostitution Prevention Law
aimed to prevent a climate of prostitution, “in view of the fact that it harms
human dignity, is against sexual morality, and disturbs virtuous social manners and customs.”2 But for those opposed to prostitution, any legislation was
better than none. Japan’s first national anti-prostitution law passed the Diet
in 1956.

The fight to pass a national law against prostitution reveals both the
potential and the disappointing reality of female politicians’ power in the
early postwar period. The American-written Japanese constitution granted
women new freedoms, including the right to vote and hold office.3 In April
1946, 67 percent of eligible women went to the polls, electing 39 women out
of 466 members in the Lower House of the Diet.4 Yet this power had its

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